Love & Sex

The myths about non-monogamous relationships

By Wieke Veenboer | #!31Sat, 27 May 2023 09:30:08 +0200+02:000831#31Sat, 27 May 2023 09:30:08 +0200+02:00-9Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331 27am31am-31Sat, 27 May 2023 09:30:08 +0200+02:009Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2023312023Sat, 27 May 2023 09:30:08 +0200309305amSaturday=9#!31Sat, 27 May 2023 09:30:08 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam5#05-27-2023#!31Sat, 27 May 2023 09:30:08 +0200+02:000831#/31Sat, 27 May 2023 09:30:08 +0200+02:00-9Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331#!31Sat, 27 May 2023 09:30:08 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam5#

In recent years, non-monogamous relationships have gained enormous popularity; it is now estimated that four to five percent of people in a relationship are in a non-monogamous one. And there is a good chance that this number will only increase in the coming years. However, there are still many prejudices about non-monogamous relationships, and we are going to take a closer look at them. The chance is quite high that you also believed in one of these myths.

1. Non-monogamous relationships are an excuse for cheating
‘Yes, they don’t have a monogamous relationship because one, the other, or both just want to cheat.’ You have probably heard this about someone who was in a certain type of non-monogamous relationship. And that is not true at all; these relationships are built on trust and boundaries, but also on rules. There are often agreements that you must adhere to, and if you don’t, then that is simply cheating.

2. People in a non-monogamous relationship are never jealous
Of course, there is jealousy, but perhaps for different reasons. Suppose you have the rule that kissing or maybe dating and/or having sex with someone else is allowed, then you can still feel jealousy, for example, if you have the idea that your partner is getting more energy from that other person or is very impressed by them.

3. People in non-monogamous relationships have commitment issues
This is incorrect, and it has even been scientifically proven: according to research, people with commitment issues find the idea of non-monogamous relationships very appealing, but it often doesn’t work for them. And just because you don’t see yourself growing old with one person doesn’t mean you can’t commit.

4. Non-monogamous relationships are more advantageous for men than for women
Also not true; as described above, it’s all about rules, trust, and boundaries, and respecting those. A relationship must be equal to succeed as a non-monogamous relationship. If that is not the case, it may be that the one with more power, regardless of gender, feels happier in the relationship than the other.

5. People in monogamous relationships are happier
This has also been scientifically disproven; according to research, it is actually people who swing or are in a polyamorous relationship who are happier. They are also said to be happier with their sex life compared to people in an open relationship. So there is also a difference in non-monogamous relationships according to research.

Source: PsychologyToday